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Admissions

To Apply to BMSE, you must choose Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Degree

Undergraduate Preparation

Students with undergraduate degrees and strong backgrounds in relevant areas of biochemistry, biology, chemistry, engineering or physics are encouraged to apply to our graduate program. Undergraduate preparation for admission should include either:

one year each of general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, calculus and physics, and upper division courses including biochemistry, genetics and additional specialized electives; or

a comparable preparation in the fields of engineering, physics, chemistry or mathematics.

For a historical list of academic institutions and associated degrees & majors from past applicants admitted to the BMSE graduate program, download the historical data.

Most applicants to the Graduate Program in Biomolecular Science and Engineering have completed an upper division physical (or biophysical) chemistry course. Research experience is particularly important. Applicants with strong undergraduate records that lack some of the preparation indicated above may be admitted with the condition that deficiencies be remedied early during their graduate career by completing appropriate courses. All applicants must meet the general requirements of the University for admission to graduate status.

Application Materials

In reviewing applications, the admissions committee carefully considers the following materials:

GRE Scores

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores (verbal, quantitative, analytical) are required of all applicants. The recruitment committee looks for GRE scores of 70% or higher on all 3 general exams with preferably a quantitative score of 85% or higher. A subject GRE is not required for admission.

TOEFL Scores

International students from non-English speaking countries, except those who received a bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution where English is the principle language, are required to submit a TOEFL score as well. The BMSE program looks for TOEFL scores of 630 or higher for the paper-based exam or 109 or higher for the internet-based exam. UCSB's Graduate Division's minimum TOEFL standards for admission is 550 (paper) or 80 (internet). For more information on standardized examinations, please visit UCSB's Graduate Division website.

GRE and TOEFL scores should be submitted via ETS to the UCSB's Graduate Division using the institution code of 4835. No program code is needed.

Three Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation may be uploaded electronically through the e-application system (preferred method) to the BMSE program. Each letter of recommendation should include a coversheet (make sure to indicate if waive rights to access letter or not).

Transcripts

From the Graduate Division web site, follow the detailed instructions on how to submit your official transcript from each institution attended (including the grading scale, which may be on the backside of the transcript). The uploaded transcript must be an official transcript, produced by the university with all appropriate seals/stamps. Remove your Social Security Number by crossing/blacking out numbers before uploading (if applicable). Final/Official transcripts will be required for all applicants who are admitted and have indicated their intent to enroll at UC Santa Barbara by submitting a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR).

Application Verification

To verify that your application materials have been received, please visit the UCSB Graduate School Application Page. Also, please be aware that in order to check the status of your supplemental materials, you must submit a payment for your electronic application.